Advancing antiseptic marking pen

Abstract

An advancing antiseptic marking pen in which a barrel of the pen holds a plurality of antiseptic/marking tips. The tips contain a colored antiseptic substance. When an indicated area on the patient's body is cleansed, the area remains marked by the antiseptic/colorant fluid chosen so that the user of the pen can clearly ascertain the indicated area. A protective cap fits over the open end of the pen to prevent bacteria and other contaminants from contaminating the antiseptic/marking tips. When the pen is to be used, the operator must of course first remove the protective cap. The operator then depresses and slides an advancing tab on a top side of the barrel of the pen to advance an antiseptic/marking tip to an in-use position. After the indicated area is highlighted, cleansed, and simultaneously marked, the operator again depresses and slides the advancing tab to eject the used tip. The protective cap is then replaced by the operator so that the pen can be conveniently stored in a pocket. Ejection of a used tip does not automatically expose a new tip. Unused tips remain below the opening of the pen until the tips are advanced by again operating the advancing tab. This process further protects against contamination of the antiseptic/marking tips.

I claim:  
     
       1. An advancing antiseptic marking pen comprising: 
       an outer barrel,  
       an inner sleeve with an open end and a closed end,  
       a plurality of antiseptic/marking tips that contain a colored antiseptic are contained in an interior of said sleeve, and  
       an advancing mechanism; wherein  
       said advancing mechanism creates a serial movement of said antiseptic/marking tips through said interior of said sleeve toward said open end of said sleeve to an in-use position in which an outermost one of said antiseptic/marking tips is exposed for use, and  
       said serial movement moves said antiseptic/marking tips through said interior of said sleeve to eject said outermost one of said antiseptic/marking tips after it has been used.  
     
     
       2. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 1 , wherein said advancing mechanism comprises: 
       an advancing tab with a pair of protruding side wings,  
       a flexible blade spring attached to said advancing tab; wherein  
       said advancing mechanism is installed in said inner sleeve, said inner sleeve having a longitudinal inner sleeve slot in one side thereof, said side wings of said advancing tab rest on sides of said inner sleeve slot, said sides of said inner sleeve slot serving as guide rails for said side wings of said advancing tab, and  
       said outer barrel comprises an outer barrel slot, a top end of said advancing tab protrudes through said outer barrel slot, said advancing tab being contained in a space between said outer barrel and said inner sleeve; and wherein  
       said blade spring extends through said interior of said inner sleeve and is doubled onto itself at said closed end of said inner sleeve behind an innermost one of said antiseptic/marking tips so as to create a doubled section of said blade spring that abuts said closed end of said inner sleeve, a distal end of said blade spring comprising a pushing surface that contacts said innermost one of said antiseptic/marking tips; such that  
       said advancing mechanism advances said antiseptic/marking tips toward said open end of said inner sleeve when said advancing tab is pushed toward said closed end of said inner sleeve.  
     
     
       3. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 2 , wherein: 
       an elongated boss protrudes from an upper surface of each of said side wings, and  
       a plurality of transverse notches lie along said outer barrel slot, said notches receive said bosses on said side wings of said advancing tab, a clearance being left between said outer barrel and said inner sleeve so that said bosses move into and out of said notches, inherent pressure of said blade spring urging said advancing tab upward so that said bosses are secured in said notches until pressure is applied to said advancing tab.  
     
     
       4. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 3 , wherein: 
       said transverse notches are spaced apart no more than one-half a length of said antiseptic/marking tips, so that said advancing tab must be moved through at least two notches to move said advancing mechanism the length of said tip.  
     
     
       5. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       a cross section of a base of said antiseptic/marking tips conforms to a cross section of said interior of said inner tube.  
     
     
       6. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 5 , wherein: 
       said base of said antiseptic/marking tips has a circular cross section.  
     
     
       7. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 5 , wherein: 
       said base of said antiseptic/marking tips has a triangular cross section.  
     
     
       8. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       a cross section of a base of said antiseptic/marking tips conforms to a cross section of said interior of said inner tube and to a cross section of said outer barrel.  
     
     
       9. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 8 , wherein: 
       said base of said antiseptic/marking tips has a circular cross section.  
     
     
       10. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 8 , wherein: 
       said base of said antiseptic/marking tips has a triangular cross section.  
     
     
       11. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said antiseptic/marking tips comprise a main body, a tapered point, and a base, and  
       said antiseptic/marking tips are formed at least in part of an absorbent material.  
     
     
       12. The advancing antiseptic marking pen of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       a protective cap covers said open end of said inner sleeve so as to form an